About Mountain Chicken Frogs
The mountain chicken frog was commonly hunted for food, it got its name because the islanders said it tasted like chicken. It was once abundant among six of the Caribbean islands, however, its population has decreased dramatically. One reason for the decline is due to the fungal disease chytridiomycosis, for which there is no effective treatment. This species of frog can only be found on two islands, Dominica and Montserrat where it is now illegal to hunt them.
The mountain chicken frog is nocturnal. It hides in burrows, under logs or in leaf litter and hunts for food at dusk.
Mountain Chicken Frogs in the Wild
Habitat
The species lives in dense vegetation, ravines, and flooded forests. They prefer low elevations, from sea level to 400 meters above sea level.
Location
Dominica and Montserrat
Diet
The mountain chicken frog, or giant ditch frog as it is commonly called, is an opportunistic feeder with a huge appetite. They will consume almost anything they can swallow whole, including crickets, millipedes, insects and crustaceans.
Population Status
The mountain chicken frog population has declined by 80% in the past ten years and is “critically endangered.” The decline is due to habitat loss, human consumption, as well as a fungal disease that is killing amphibian populations worldwide.
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